The Smoking Cuban
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Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki, Luka Doncic and the passing of the torch

By Kohl Rast

DENVER, CO - MARCH 14: Luka Doncic #77 and Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks look on against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - MARCH 14: Luka Doncic #77 and Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks look on against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – MARCH 14: Luka Doncic #77 and Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks look on against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – MARCH 14: Luka Doncic #77 and Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks look on against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Dirk Nowitzki coverage is coming to an end, but not before we talk about what is to come for the Dallas Mavericks. What part of Dirk’s legacy does Luka Doncic need to follow, and what does he need to make his own?

The day was bound to come sooner or later, although no one was really ready for it. When the Dallas Mavericks officially said goodbye to Dirk Nowitzki, there is no denying that it was the end of an era. The only weird part about it was that the Mavs were already in the works of moving on from what Dirk did for the team before he was even gone.

Most of that is because of a rookie by the name of Luka Doncic. Luka has earned the respect of a vast majority of the NBA world with his incredible play as a rookie and his infectious personality. Part of that infectious personality is reminiscent of Dirk, only in a completely different way.

When Dirk got the attention from the public from something other than his play on the court, it was usually him playfully demeaning himself in some way. Luka does it by his actions, generally on the court or on the bench. Not that it is a bad thing, but it is unique.

Related Story. 5 reasons why Luka should win Rookie of the Year

The point to all of this is that the Mavericks have a new face in Luka. We have been spoiled by Dirk for so long that there are people out there who will want to see Luka try to replicate or embody what Dirk was to this fanbase. That isn’t going to happen, because no one is or ever will be like Dirk.

Just because Luka can’t be Dirk doesn’t mean he can’t bring back some of the more important things that Dirk presented to the NBA world. Here are two things that Luka would be smart to take from Dirk and two things that he should make his own.

Next: Bring it Back

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